DISPLAY DEVICE

Abstract: A display device (30), particularly for use as a menu board in a restaurant or the like. The device (30) has at least two rotatable roller members (31 or 32) located in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship. Carrier means (38) is provided, tightly supported by and rotatable about the rollers (31 and 32) and adapted to receive at least one display means (36) thereon. Each of the carrier means (38) and said display means (36) are constructed at least partially of substantially flexible and translucent material. Illumination means (37) are provided behind at least a portion of said carrier means (38), to illuminate a viewing portion of said carrier means (38) and said display means (36) thereon. Most preferably, each display means (36) is sized and shaped to fit between a pair of adjacent rollers such that one or more discrete rest position(s) is/are automatically identified after said display device (30) is rotated, whereby, in said rest position(s), one of said display means (36) is centrally positioned between a respective pair of rollers (31 and 32).

Description: DISPLAY DEVICE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a display device, and in particular, to a rotating display device, particularly suitable for, but not limited to, a rotating menu board for use in a fast food restaurant. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Menu boards used in fast food outlets are typically positioned at more than two meters above ground level, usually behind and/or above the serving counter, or, in a driveway - for a drive-through service. The difficulty encountered with utilising such menu boards is that they are difficult and cumbersome to change, due to their size and position. Also, in some fast food outlets, two or more menus are often utilised throughout the day, for instance, at breakfast or at lunch and/or dinner. With such prior art menu boards, fast food outlets with two or more menus typically show both their menus throughout the entire day. This causes delays, confusion and misordering by customers, when looking at the wrong menu. Various rotating menuboards have herebefore been designed, to overcome these problems, such as described in Australian Patent No. 640211 by Florida Plastics Midwest, Inc. AU 640211 describes a rotatable display sign which has a circular-like member 56 (Fig. 7) with a plurality of recessed portions around the circumference thereof. A plurality of rigid panel portions 34 which are interconnected on their longitudinal edges by hinge-like means. The hinge-like means 40,41 engage the recessed portions 58 such that, when a handle 62 is manually operated, the drum like member 56, via a gearing arrangement 55, facilitates movement of the display sign panels 34. As will be appreciated, the device of AU 640211 is quite difficult to manufacture due to its vast number of components, is cumbersome to operate due to the necessity to turn handle 62 - which may typically be positioned some two metres above ground level, and is prone to breakage - due to its complex design and incorporation of many moving parts. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a display device which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. The present invention also seeks to provide a display device which enables the alternative positioning of a display means between, a viewing position, and one or more storage position(s), such that, different displays can be provided at different predetermined times throughout the day, etc. In one broad form, the present invention provides a display device, comprising: at least two rotatable roller members located in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship; a carrier means, tightly supported by and rotatable about said rollers and adapted to receive at least one display means thereon, each of said carrier means and said display means being constructed at least partially of substantially flexible and translucent material; and, illumination means, provided behind at least a portion of said carrier means, to illuminate a viewing portion of said carrier means and said display means thereon. In a most preferred form, each display means is sized and shaped to fit between a pair of adjacent rollers such that one or more discrete rest position is/are automatically identified after said display device is rotated, whereby, in said rest position(s), one of said display means is centrally positioned between a respective pair of rollers. Preferably, the display device is embodied wherein said carrier means is a belt, band, or the like, rotatable about each of said roller members. Alternatively, but also preferably, the display device may be embodied wherein said carrier means extends between is adapted to roll onto at least two of said roller members, in a spool-like manner. In a preferred form said carrier means is formed of a lightweight polycarbonate or like plastics material, such as 'LEXAN'. Preferably, said display means comprises translite(s) and/or slat(s). In a preferred form said translite(s) is/are attached to said carrier by a substantially transparent/translucent adhesive material. In an alternatively preferred form of the invention said translite(s) is/are attached to said carrier by a covering sheet provided over substantially the entirety of said carrier, such that each translite is positioned between said carrier and said covering sheet. In an alternatively preferred form said translite(s) is/are attached to said carrier by a hook and loop fastening system, such as Velcro. Preferably, each said slat(s) is attached to said carrier by slat carrier means. Preferably, each said slat carrier means has a lip thereon to support an edge of a respective slat. Preferably, each slat may optionally be provided with at least one window portion therein, and wherein an indicia module may be provided behind said window. In a preferred form each indicia module comprises: at least one substantially translucent carrier to removably house an indicia card; at least one attachment means to attach said indicia module to said slat carrier means. Preferably, said attachment means comprises at least one protrusion on the edge of each module, adapted to be retained by said slat carrier means. In a preferred embodiment the display device further comprises drive means, to drive at least one of said roller members and to thereby selectively move at least one display means between a viewing position and a storage position(s). In one version, said drive means continuously moves said carrier means. In a further broad form, the present invention provides an alternative version said drive means is operated intermittently, to move one of at least two display means to said viewing position, one at a time. An indicia module for use with a display device having slat carriers or the like, comprising: a module frame, sized and shaped to fit between a pair of slat carriers; and display window means intermediate said module frame, for selectively and removably inserting display indicia therein; characterised in that said module is provided with at least one protrusion forming an attachment means such that resistance to sliding of said module along said slat carrier is effected. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more fully understood from the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiment described in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein: Fig. 1 shows, in Fig. 1(a) a schematic perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the display device of the present invention, and, in Fig. 1(b), a preferred embodiment of such a display device within a housing; Fig. 2 shows, in Figs. 2(a) to 2(f) thereof, various schematic views of alternative roller arrangements useful for the invention; Fig. 3 shows, in Figs. 3(a) to 3(d) thereof, various details of a preferred embodiment of the invention wherein a plurality of slats, held by a suitable slat carrier means, form the display device; and, Fig. 4 details in Figs. 4(a) to 4(c) thereof an indicia display capsule utilised with the embodiment of Fig. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in Fig. 1, a display device 30 comprises a pair of rotatable roller members 31 and 32 located in parallel spaced apart relationship. A carrier means 33 is mounted between the roller members 31 and 32, in a belt like manner. It may either rotate in the direction of arrow 34, the direction of arrow 35, or, in both directions 34 and 35, one at a time. Rotation of the carrier may be effected either manually, or by drive means, which is not shown in the drawings. The drive means may either drive one or both of the roller members 31 and 32 to thereby selectively move the carrier means 33. The carrier means 33 is adapted to receive at least one display means 36 in a removable manner thereon. Preferably, the embodiment depicted in the drawing will be provided with at least two display means 36 thereon, one on the "front" of the display device 30, and one on the rear of the display device 30. By operation of the drive means, the display means 36 may be selectively moved between a viewing position and a storage position. That is, the viewing position will be at the front of the display device, and the storage position will be at the rear of the display device. Lights or other illumination means 37 are provided between the roller members 31 and 32 to illuminate the display means 36 when in the viewing position. This is achieved by constructing the carrier means 33 and the display means 36 at least partly of transparent and/or translucent material or the like, such that the light can shine therethrough. As shown in Fig. 1(b), the display device 30 may be provided in a housing 39 - the housing 39 being intended to be provided in an overhead position behind a serving counter in a restaurant, bar, shop or the like. It will be appreciated that , by installing the device 30 in such a housing 39, the device 30 faces a person in front of the counter. As hereinbefore mentioned, the display means is removably attached to the carrier means by any known means, for example, by a substantially transparent or translucent adhesive material such as used for window stickers, etc, or by other known means which permits easy placement and removal such a velcro, sticky tapes, or the like. The display device may either be used to alternatively, intermittently or continuously, display two or more display means 36, by intermittently or continuously rotating the rollers 31 or 32, or, by an electric/electronic drive means, to move one of at least two display means to a viewing position, one at a time. This may, for example, be useful for displaying at least two menus, one at a time, in a fast food restaurant, whereby one menu is to be displayed during breakfast, and another menu is to be displayed during lunch or dinner at predetermined times. For example, the menus could be changed at 10.00 am when it is desired to cease displaying the breakfast menu and thereafter display the lunch menu. The display device may be operated such that the drive means causes the breakfast menu to be moved from the front to the rear of the display device such that the lunch menu is thereafter displayed. Suitable control circuitry may be provided to automatically affect this operation, or, the drive means may be manual, or be operated by a switch, electrical component/circuitry or the like. One of the features that makes the display device of the present invention different from the display devices of the prior art, is the material of which the display device belt 38 is fabricated. This belt, or carrier means, is, in accordance with the present invention, constructed of a substantially flexible and translucent material. That is, the carrier means or belt is preferably constructed of a plastics or other polycarbonate material such as "LEXAN". This allows the belt to stretch between the pair of rollers 31 and 32 and rotate thereabout. The use of such a material allows easy hand movement of the display device, unlike the prior art device, such as shown in Australian Patent 640211, which requires a cumbersome operation of a handle. The use of such a polycarbonate material such as LEXAN also has translucent characteristics allowing the illumination means 37 to shine therethrough. An extremely useful characteristic feature of using such a tightly provided but lightweight belt about the rollers, is that "self-alignment" is achieved, as will be described in more detail hereinafter. As mentioned hereinbefore, either a single transparency 36 or a plurality of slat like members may be positioned in the outline shown by reference numeral 36. It will be appreciated that a further transparency or set of slat like members would also be provided on the back surface of the belt 38. Obviously, when in use as a display sign, there is no sign attached to the curve portions or end portions of the overall device, i.e. the portion about the rollers 31 and 32. Consequently, a unique effect of the invention results. That is, due to natural balancing effects, automatic alignment of the display portions occurs to 'rest positions', such that a display is either provided on the front or back surface, but does not tend to stop halfway between the front and back and about the rollers 31 or 32. This is facilitated by the combination of lightweight materials for the belt and a smooth rolling action of the rollers 31 and 32. As mentioned hereinbefore, a single transparency can be supplied on to each of the front and back surfaces of the belt 38, such as within the dotted lines shown by reference numeral 36 in Fig. 1. A variety of means can be utilised for attaching a single transparency, such as glues, velcros, tapes, etc. Alternatively, a plurality of slat holders may be supplied on to the belt, such that slats may be easily inserted therein. Such a slat arrangement in shown in Fig 3, Fig. 3(a) illustrating a front view thereof, and Fig. 3(b) illustrating an elevational view thereof. Details of a particular slat is illustrated in front view and elevational view in Figs. 3(c) and 3(d). The slats slide into the slat carriers, as will be understood, behind a lip provided along each edge of the carriers. In Fig. 4 is shown an indicia display capsule, useful for use with the slat arrangement of Figs. 3. Front and elevational views are shown in Figs. 4(a) and 4(b). By this unique design of the indicia display capsule, indicia may be easily inserted into the capsule as shown in Fig. 4c, and then, due to the provision of unique protruding portions 40, the capsule may be easily inserted into position and held therein between pairs of slats. Consequential sliding in or out of the slats over the capsule does not result in movement of the capsule. Such a module may be useful in display devices other than that shown in the drawings. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications will become apparent. For example, as it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art, depending on the number of display message required, variations to the device, with differing numbers of rollers, can be made. Examples of such variations are shown in Fig. 2. Fig 2 shows the use of a plurality of single size rollers in Figs. 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c), the use of smaller diameter rollers - in Figs. 2(d) and 2(e) - which enable a 'longer' viewing area on the front of the display device, and, the use of rollers wherein the carrier may roll onto the rollers - in Fig. 2(f). Such an embodiment of Fig. 2(f) may be particularly useful where space constraints are defined. These and all other variations and modifications which become apparent to persons skilled in the art should however be considered to fall within the scope of the invention as broadly hereinbefore described and as broadly claimed.

Claims: THE CLAIMS 1. A display device, comprising: at least two rotatable roller members located in substantially parallel spaced apart relationship; a carrier means, tightly supported by and rotatable about said rollers and adapted to receive at least one display means thereon, each of said carrier means and said display means being constructed at least partially of substantially flexible and translucent material; and, illumination means, provided behind at least a portion of said carrier means, to illuminate a viewing portion of said carrier means and said display means thereon. 2. A display device as claimed in claim 2, wherein each display means is sized and shaped to fit between a pair of adjacent rollers such that one or more discrete rest position(s) is/are automatically identified after said display device is rotated, whereby, in said rest position(s), one of said display means is centrally positioned between a respective pair of rollers. 3. A display device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said carrier means is a belt, band, or the like, rotatable about each of said roller members. 4. A display device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein said carrier means extends between is adapted to roll onto at least two of said roller members, in a spool-like manner. 5. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said carrier means is formed of a lightweight polycarbonate or like plastics material, such as 'LEXAN'. 6. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said display means comprises translite(s) and/or slat(s). 7. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said translite(s) is/are attached to said carrier by a substantially transparent/translucent adhesive material. 8. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said translite(s) is/are attached to said carrier by a covering sheet provided over substantially the entirety of said carrier, such that each translite is positioned between said carrier and said covering sheet. 9. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said translite(s) is/are attached to said carrier by a hook and loop fastening system, such as Velcro. 10. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein each slat may optionally be provided with at least one window portion therein, and wherein an indicia module may be provided behind said window. 11. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein each said slat carrier means has a lip thereon to support an edge of a respective slat. 12. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein each slat may optionally be provided with at least one window portion therein, and wherein an indicia module may be provided behind said window. 13. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein each indicia module comprises: at least one substantially translucent carrier to removably house an indicia card; at least one attachment means to attach said indicia module to said slat carrier means. 14. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein said attachment means comprises at least one protrusion on the edge of each module, adapted to be retained by said slat carrier means. 15. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the display device further comprises drive means, to drive at least one of said roller members and to thereby selectively move at least one display means between a viewing position and a storage position(s). 16. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein said drive means continuously move said carrier means. 17. A display device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said drive means is operated intermittently, to move one of at least two display means to said viewing position, one at a time. 18. An indicia module for use with a display device having slat carriers or the like, comprising: a module frame, sized and shaped to fit between a pair of slat carriers; and display window means intermediate said module frame, for selectively and removably inserting display indicia therein; characterised in that said module is provided with at least one protrusion forming an attachment means such that resistance to sliding of said module along said slat carrier is effected. 19. A display device and/or an indicia module substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Inventors: COATES ALAN BERNARD, CONLON LEE JAMES, COATES, ALAN, BERNARD, CONLON, LEE, JAMES
Applicants: COATES ALAN BERNARD, COATES SIGNCO PTY LIMITED, CONLON LEE JAMES, COATES SIGNCO PTY. LIMITED, COATES, ALAN, BERNARD, CONLON, LEE, JAMES
Application year: 1994
Main classification: G09F11
IPC codes: G09F11